Posted on 10/02/2015 9:53:13 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
The last temptation of Christ may not have occurred in the desert when Satan confronted Jesus. In the biblical book of Matthew, Christ goes alone into the desert and fasts for 40 days. While he is starving, the Devil confronts and tempts him: “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” Christ answers, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
The Christian church, both Catholic and Protestant, has faced a similar temptation to turn stone into bread in the form of socialism. Many seem surprised by Pope Francis’s criticism of capitalism. Modern liberals trying to push for a more socialist agenda in Europe, South America, and the United States have used his statements as fodder. While it is commonly assumed that Christianity would be opposed to socialism because of its historic opposition to communism, the two are not the same.
Russian and Chinese communism did not allow for religious belief and practice, but the economic system of socialism itself has no such restrictions, and has been embraced by many Christian leaders and sects throughout the development of the modern industrial society. In an effort to create a Christian society, believers have lent support to and embraced socialism to the point of revolutionary action as a way to create heaven on Earth—bread out of stone.
In his “History of Anarchism,” Peter Marshall writes, “Alongside the libertarian trend in Christianity has been a communal one. Jesus’ voluntary poverty, his attack on riches… and his sharing of goods (particularly the bread and the fishes) all inspired many early Christians to practice a form of communism.” He cites Acts 2:44-5: “And all that believed were together, and had all things in common;
(Excerpt) Read more at thefederalist.com ...
Actually. Socialism is not compatible with “fallen” Human Nature.
Heaven as it is often described is actually very much the socialist utopia. But Heaven works because it’s is ruled by an all powerful, all knowing, and all just God. Socialism on earth doesn’t work because it’s ruled by fallen humans who are neither just nor wise. When you try to create heaven without God you end up with hell. Which is what socialism on earth always degenerates into.
Capitalism is not some great system either, it simply works because it assumes the fallen nature of man and accounts for it.
All the isms seek to replace God as the wee small voice in your head.
Acts 2:44
And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,
And boy did that first assembly have miracles follow them!
Maybe that is why the gospel of John has the cleansing of the temple earlier than any of the other gospels- it is argued by some that Johns gospel is a gospel of the Kingdom, as it holds no parables or very very few.
The story of the cleansing of the temple of the money changers happens fast in John- chapter 2..
between the ‘wedding’ and the talk to Nicademus about being born again or from above.
Maybe a picture that all must deal with cleansing the temple of the money issue. Before we can be truly born from above- a picture that one must deal with the money issue in one’s temple.
Just like the first Disciples did in Acts- when they sold what they had and pooled it all together and helped each other out. Relied on each other and Him for everything.
Today that would be looked at as silly in our world- borderline nuts and cultish.. Maybe that is why the Kingdom is polluted for the last two thousand years..and divided into thousands of denominations each with their own opinions.
The money issue in one’s own temple may be what deters one to unify. Not around government, but around Him
Just a thought.
SOME writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins. Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness POSITIVELY by uniting our affections, the latter NEGATIVELY by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher.Society in every state is a blessing, but Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil - Thomas Paine, Common Sense (1776)
The absurdity of the “Great Society” was that Johnson was running for POTUS, not God - and government is not society. The difference between “society” and “government” is freedom
I don't think that is what God is. And that is not where the Bible comes from.
Ok thank you.
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